Police have released footage apparently showing the moment three suspected distraction thieves steal a pensioner's bank card at a cash machine.

An 82-year-old man was targeted in Southend as his card was about to be returned to him from an ATM, according to detectives.

One of the people in the footage is seen distracting him, while another woman appears to remove his card from the cash machine and replace it with another.

Police said the stolen card was then used to withdraw a four-figure sum of cash from the victim's account.

In another incident at the same branch of Barclays bank, a 72-year-old man's bank card was stolen.

The pensioner only realised money had been taken from his account when he tried to withdraw cash two days later and realised his card had been swapped for one which did not belong to him. Police said a "three-figure sum" had been withdrawn.

Anyone who recognises the three people caught on camera is asked to call Essex Police on 101. Information can also be passed to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.